POLITICAL MEETING AT LEESTON.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1705, 7 August 1879, Page 2

POLITICAL MEETING AT LEESTON.

A public meeting of electors in the Selwyn County was held at Springs’ Hotel, on Tuesday evening last. Present—Messrs W. D. Lawrence, D. Marshall, C. T. Dudley, H. J. Hall, B. Forsyth, A. McLaohlan, John McLaohlan, E. Lockhead, and about twenty others. On the motion of Mr John McLaohlan Mr Dudley was voted to the chair. The chairman then in a few words explained to those present the object of the meeting, which was called for the purpose of getting a requisition signed, asking the Hon. John Hall to allow himself to be nominated to represent the Selwyn County in the House of Representatives, and called upon Mr H. J. Hall to move a resolution to that effect. Mr Hall said lie would propose the resolution merely for the purpose of opening up a discussion. It gave him much pleasure to propose the Hon. John Hall to represent them in the Lower House, and he felt certain they could not get n better or a more able man in every way, as ho had represented the colony for the last thirty years, holding an unblemished character. Ho then moved the following proposition :—“ That a requisition be forwarded to the Hon. John Hall, asking him if he will allow himself to be nominated as their member.” [Hear, hear.] Mr John MeLachlan said ho had every faith in the Hon. John Hall, but he would not undertake to support him until he had heard his views. Mr H. J. Hall said ho thought this meeting should forward a requisition at once, otherwise they might lose him, as ho would be sure to be asked to stand for the Heathcoto. Mr Alex. McLaohlan said ho should like to hear more discussion on the subject. Mr Jno. McLaohlan spoke at some length, saying ho felt sure that the Hon. John Hall was the best man they could get, but that there was plenty of time to promise to support him after they had hoard his political views. At present he was not sufficiently known in the district for them to forward such a requisition as proposed. Mr Marshall said he thought the electors should send a local man from the district to represent them. Mr Bennie said he did not know if he had any right to he at the meeting, as he understood that it was only a private meeting of Mr Hall’s supporters. He had only voted for him on one occasion, and then ho had promised one thing, and when he get to Wellington did just the opposite. Mr Lockheed said he should like to know a little more about Mr Hall, as he had read his speeches in the House, and he thought he was rather fond of changing about. After some considerable discussion ss to the advisability of calling a general meeting of electors for the purpose of nominating a man to represent them, Mr A. McLaohlan moved the following amendment to Mr Hall’s resolution :—" That the Hon. John Hall bo asked to meet the electors of this district at as early a date as possible to explain his politicel. views.” After some further discussion on the subject. Mr W. D. Laurence seconded the amendment, which, on being put to the meeting, was carried unanimously, Mr Hall’s motion, for the want of a seconder, falling through. Mr Rennie said ho had no objection to the Hon. J ohn Hall addressing them, as long as this meeting did not guarantee to elect him until after they had heard him. With a rote of thanks to the chairman the meeting closed.